Key Features

Ten Second Review

The improved F-TYPE Convertible has even more to please committed Jaguar enthusiasts. This latest car offers six engine choices, including a new 300PS 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, 340, 380 and 400PS supercharged 3.0-litre V6s, plus 550 and 575PS versions of the ballistic supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that comes with AWD. In short, Jaguar's baby soft top just goes from strength to strength.

Background

Okay, time for a quick report card on the Jaguar F-TYPE. It's been nothing but good news for its maker and the addition of the F-TYPE Coupe only broadened its appeal. Thing is, Jaguar isn't sitting back, sparking up a Cuban and watching the money roll in. Instead it's ploughing huge investment into the car and the fruits of that research and development are starting to materialise. This improved model gets a smarter front end, upgraded infotainment, an extra four cylinder engine option and a clever 'ReRun' app that gives owners high quality video with real-time performance data. Let's check this car out in Convertible form.

Driving Experience

There are now three main engines available to power the F-TYPE, a 2.0-litre four cylinder unit with 300PS, a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and a 5.0-litre V8. Even the 2.0-litre variant has quite a turn of speed, managing 60mph in just 5.4s en route to 155mph. Many though, will continue to desire the silky roar of the supercharged V6, these days available with either 340, 380 or 400PS. The 380 and 400PS models get the option of AWD. With the 340 and 380PS variants, buyers can choose between manual and Quickshift auto transmission; with the '400 Sport', its 'Quickshift' only. You'll also be limited to the auto 'box if you opt for one of the 5.0-litre V8 models - and these potent variants only come with AWD. The F-TYPE R gets this powerplant in 550PS form, while the flagship SVR derivative uses this engine with 575PS on tap. Got all that? I'll be asking questions later.
You're going to want to lower the fabric roof to better hear these engines of course - a process that can be accomplished in just 12s at speeds of up to 30mph - but once you do, you won't be disappointed. Personally, I usually like my automotive sound effects to come from the engine rather than, as here, the tailpipes at the back but even I have to admit that this car hums an addictive tune. Whichever variant you choose, performance is striking. Even the feeblest 340PS model makes 62mph from rest in just 5.7s, while the V8 F-TYPE R covers off that sprint in just 4.2s. As before, the 380PS F-TYPE variant most buyers choose gets a mechanical limited-slip differential, while the V8 gets an electronic item. Across the range, you get an all-aluminium chassis, double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link-suspended rear.

Design and Build

The visual changes made to this improved model are small but significant, centring mostly on a front end now embellished by full-LED headlights that sit above a re-styled bumper. Jaguar's distinctive J-Blade daytime running lights are retained, and these now double as the direction indicators, with the lamp's 'eyelid' indexing with the bonnet's cutline to further accentuate the lights' multi-layered graphics. Otherwise, it's as you were. Aesthetically, there are some lovely details such as the pop-out door handles and the single flying buttress that swoops down from one side of the centre console. Then there's the neatly styled gear selector, the giant TFT display in the dash and the deep-set driving position
The roof, as you've probably already gathered from the clean, compact shape, isn't the kind of heavy metal folding deal you'll find in rival Mercedes sportscars: that would have upset the low centre of gravity and near 50:50 weight distribution the engineers prioritised so much with the light weight aluminium architecture of this design. So it's a multi-layered fabric affair with a thick Thinsulate lining that raises or lowers in just 12s and doesn't need a panel or a tonneau cover to smooth it over when stowed. Instead, the top section of the roof itself keeps everything looking tidy. Unlike a metal top of course, it doesn't rob you of bootspace when it's down. Which is just as well, because there isn't much. The 196-litre boot is one of the relatively few things that might make you think twice about this car.

Market and Model

This Convertible F-TYPE bodystyle commands a premium of around £5,500 over its Coupe counterpart, which seems a bit steep. That means that prices start at around £57,000 for the base 340PS model but you'll need a budget of around £66,000 if you want the pokier 380PS powerplant. There's a premium of around £1,700 to pay if you want Quickshift automatic transmission rather than the manual 'box. The auto-only F-TYPE R Convertible models start at around £92,000 and if you want the top SVR variant, think in terms of needing around £115,000.
All F-TYPE models now get full-LED headlights, plus a more sophisticated 'Touch Pro' infotainment system which includes online services such as real-time traffic and live weather reports.
Even the entry-level variant gets sports suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and sports seats with leather and suede-cloth. And buyers can also expect features like USB, auxiliary and iPod connections, a rear parking aid, climate control, six-way electrically adjustable sports seats, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and Jaguar's clever Pedestrian Contact System.
True enthusiasts will be able to capture and share their driving experiences using the new ReRun app developed in collaboration with GoPro. In a world-first, ReRun combines real-time video from the driver's GoPro with key vehicle performance data including speed, throttle position, gear selection, braking force and g force. The high quality video - including unique 'highlights' sections - can be downloaded to the driver's smartphone and shared on social media.

Cost of Ownership

Jaguar hasn't always been right on the pace of its key German rivals when it comes to economy and emissions, though little consideration is usually given to the fact that its cars are usually priced more affordably and are better equipped. At the base of the range, the automatic 2.0-litre 300PS RWD F-TYPE records 39.2mpg on the combined cycle and emits 163g/km of carbon dioxide. With the 340PS V6, the figures are 33.6mpg and 199g/km. Go for a manual model and those figures are significantly worse, at 28.8mpg and 234g/km respectively. Just to put those V6 model numbers into some sort of frame of reference, a 370PS Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet with a manual 'box records 33.2mpg and emits 195g/km. You'll need deep pockets to run the V8 model; the F-TYPE R manages 26.4mpg and 255g/km.
Jaguar must be absolutely delighted with the way that F-TYPE residual values have held up, an entry-level automatic convertible retaining a bigger share of its value after three years than either a Porsche 718 Boxster S or a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet when both are fitted with an equivalent PDK transmission.

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